Saturday, October 23, 2010

Branstad, Culver Tours, Register Endorsement

Governors, Governors, Governors: Quick, how many governors does it take to do a tour? If you are Iowa's Republican candidate for governor, Terry Branstad, the answer is...6. Branstad announced his "Road to Victory tour", which begins Tuesday in Cedar Rapids. So we now know where he will be for the rest of the campaign (Branstad had disappeared from the campaign schedule following the debate Thursday).

On this tour, along with Branstad (a former governor, of course), you have former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. How many of them want to be president? Hmmm....

So why does Branstad want all these other govs for the tour? I asked his Communications Director Tim Albrecht. Here's what he said:

"These visits will provide for enthusiastic events throughout the state as we enter the final week of the campaign. Our supporters are energized, and this will help mobilize them as we continue our get out the vote efforts."

At least at this point, it is more of a day-to-day approach for Democratic Governor Chet Culver's campaign. His campaign has released some details of his "Main Street vs. Wall Street tour". All we now at this point is that it begins Monday at Baby Boomers Monday in Des Moines. Just one governor, as far as I know on this tour:)

Black and White: So which candidate gets the Des Moines Register's editorial endorsement Sunday a.m.? Would this be the final nail in the coffin for the Culver campaign if Branstad gets it? On the other hand, how big a boost would it be for Culver in the campaign's final week plus?The Register also makes its pick for the U.S. Senate race. The paper has picked all five Democrats in the Congressional races so far. Will it do it again in favor of long-shot candidate Roxanne Conlin? Or does the paper go with Republican long-timer, Chuck Grassley?